I’ve shared my homemade baby care recipes before but I get a lot of questions about variations of the natural diaper rash cream specifically. I’ve played around with some recipes and settled on one that is by far more effective than any other options I’ve found.
How to Make a Natural Diaper Rash Cream
I chose all of the ingredients for this natural diaper cream recipe for a very specific reason and together they are really effective at battling diaper rash. For this recipe, I use:
Shea Butter – I use this as one of the core ingredients in homemade diaper cream because contains the fat soluble vitamins A and E. It is soothing to the skin and has a natural SPF of about 6. Additionally, it helps protect skin from drying out since it contains five essential fatty acids.
Coconut Oil: I use coconut oil for everything, but it is especially helpful in diaper cream since it is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal. It is actually pretty effective on many types of diaper rash if used alone but is more effective when combined with these other ingredients.
Beeswax: Provides a protective barrier for the skin and helps hold the other ingredients to the skin so they can be effective.
Fermented Cod Liver Oil Liquid: A secret ingredient for helping heal baby’s bottom. Fish oil is often used in conventional diaper creams but the Weston A. Price foundation recommends fermented cod liver oil as a first food and used on a baby’s bottom since it is a good source of fat soluble vitamins and baby will only absorb what is needed from the skin. This ingredient is optional but helpful. Note that this can go rancid so you won’t want to use this ingredient if you don’t plan to use the cream within about 3 months.
Zinc Oxide: An ingredient in main brands like Desitin and Balmex, zinc oxide is insoluble in water and coats the skin. When mixed with the other ingredients, it makes skin water proof and keeps it from drying out. If you rub a small amount of this cream on your arm, you’ll notice that water beads on top of your skin and won’t absorb.
Bentonite Clay: Helps control moisture and fights bacteria on the skin that can be making the rash worse.
Diaper Cream Ingredients
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 Tablespoon beeswax pastilles
- 1 Tablespoon Fermented Cod Liver Oil (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons zinc oxide powder
- 1 Tablespoon bentonite clay
- Optional: A few drops of chamomile essential oil
Diaper Cream Instructions
- Mix shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or glass bowl over a small saucepan with an inch of water. Bring water to a boil and melt the ingredients. I keep a double boiler just for making beauty products since it is difficult to clean dishes after making anything with beeswax or zinc oxide.
- Remove from heat and add the Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite Clay and Essential Oil (if using).
- Stir carefully as it starts to cool. I recommend using a popsicle stick or disposable straw to stir so it can be discarded since it is difficult to get the mixture off of dishes.
- Pour in to container you are going to use to store it and stir a few more times as it cools.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
- Use as needed for diaper rash.
Ever made a homemade diaper cream? How did it work? Share below!
I’ve used this recipe so many times over the passed few years, I love it!
Hi, How much would you say the zinc is considered as the recipe? 10% 20%? Thank you.
It just melts and runs down baby’s bum. I was looking for something more thick and paste like. It smells nice anyway.
Love all your recipes:) I really need to know if this recipe is clothe diaper safe? I see a few have asked but no reply. Regardless if it is or not it’s worked wonders, however still need to know as my friends are asking. Tks!!!
I have used with cloth diapers in the past though it seems like there are varying opinions if any oils should be used with cloth diapers.
Is this cloth diaper safe??
Would just using Shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax and arrowroot powder work? I have very sensitive skin myself and can’t use bentonite clay regularly, so I’m concerned how sensitive my kid’s skin will be.
It should still help. you could also add non-nano zinc oxide powder if you aren’t sensitive to that
How many tbs of zinc would I add to make it a 40% rash cream (like Desitin is 40% zinc oxide) thanks!!
Hi there! What are your thoughts on putting home made sauerkraut juice on a baby’s yeast diaper rash? I’ve looked all over the web and haven’t read anything about it!
Just made this for my son (age 22) for his heat rash. I got a little bit on my fingers, and oh my, it is very nourishing and smooth. I can’t wait to see if he will use it and let me know how it works. Thanks for this recipe, Katie. I really appreciate it.
Loving this rash cream!
Even if I didn’t have the fermented cod liver ingredient, after reading about the comments I decided to give it a go which works perfectly.
Hi thanks for recipe. I made this with pure coconut oil and zinc powder but its pure liquid! Do you think I can fix it and make it more firm with just those 2 ingredients?
Is this version safe for cloth diapers?
Is this suitable for newborns if you leave out the essential oils?
Aloe help for cream on butt?
Hi Katie, thanks for this great recipe. I have made 2 batches for my baby Grandson, but I find it full of little lumps of the clay and Z Oxide powder …Even though I stirred it vigorously with a small stick …I had to put in increasing amounts of the powders for fear of the mixture cooling and becoming more firm. In the end I had to use a flexible plastic knife and try to press out as much lumps as I could against the side of the jug that I made the mixture in. But this still didn’t get rid of most of them.
So my daughter is using the mixture on her son and itvis so wonderfully waterproof and covers excellently, but it is filled with these little powder lumps.
Has anyone else had this issue or can you Katie advise where I might be going wrong with the mixing of the powders….? Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Many thanks.
Julia
I’ve never used zinc in mine ,but I did use a powder and I used a blender to fully mix it all. Best of wishes.